The Scourge of Political Correctness

Intolerance of the opinions of others is not something the human race can be proud of. Sanctimonious posturing, undermining or twisting rivals’ opinions are the last resort of those unable to debate.

Columnists enjoy a little more freedom of expression than do journalists. British columnist Simon Heffer:

This is, in theory, still a free country, but our politically correct, censorious times are such that many of us tremble to give vent to perfectly acceptable views for fear of condemnation. Freedom of speech is thereby imperilled, big questions go undebated, and great lies become accepted, unequivocally as great truths.

Disagreement is essential to human progress and understanding. Wherever open debate is taboo the candles of liberty and progress are doused. The prison bars are in the head.

George Orwell:

It is not exactly forbidden to say this or that or the other, but it is ‘not done.’ Anyone who challenges the prevailing orthodoxy finds himself silenced with surprising effectiveness. A genuinely unfashionable opinion is almost never given a fair hearing, either in the popular press or in highbrow periodicals.

Media coverage of world events is now meaningless because its purpose is to condition the population not to inform.

Columnist Peter Hitchens:

Is there any point in public debate in a society where hardly anyone has been taught how to think, while millions have been taught what to think.

No one benefits from political correctness. To deprive society of free debate is tantamount to rationing water or food, or the air we breathe. Censorship, denial of opinion, misinterpretation and news spin makes us no better than the Soviets. There is nothing more liberating, educational and inspiring than to listen to and debate an opinion without being ridiculed or denied.

Has political correctness dragged us back to the Dark Ages in which we keep quiet for fear of finger-jabbing and drawing the attention of witch-finders? The good news is that we could be entering a period of enlightenment and renaissance thanks to the less controlled internet. As whistle-blower Julian Assange says:

This generation is burning the mass media to the ground. We are reclaiming our rights to world history.

Had the internet been invented earlier perhaps World War Two would have been avoided. People today are more cynical of their country’s warmongering propaganda and territorial ambitions. As a consequence they are less persuaded to take up arms.

Western governments suffer a shortage of recruits despite the strength of their armed forces falling short of perceived requirements.

Furthermore, people may be more inclined to turn their guns on their warmongering political elite and its mule-train media than on the supposed enemy. The real threat to 825 million Americans and European Union citizens lies in their own capitals not those of others.

Mike Walsh

Mike Walsh was a freelance media writer and columnist for thirty-years. The Irish journalist now writes and broadcasts solely for independent alternative media. Visit SpinFreeHistory.com to see all of Mike's available books.